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Thursday, April 7, 2011

When I was a teenager and college student it was always the Rolling Stones for me, not the Beatles. It was the rhythm and the raw sound contrasted to the Beatles' modulated (in my mind) style and lyrics.

It stayed that way for many years until medium lately ago the beauty and soft wisdom of the Beatles began appealing to me. Actually, I even began liking Elton John's songs. I can't explain how those things go; I just know that it happens to me.

Tonight I think I had a turn-back moment, though. Tonight I clicked onto YouTube and heard Susan Boyle singing "Wild Horses" and thought it lovely — which is to say, mostly I thought..... but then I clicked onto the Rolling Stones singing that same song, and felt a great, nostalgic, somehow regretful, maybe sentimental emotion wash over me. Mick Jagger does not have the range or control of Susan Boyle, but he delivers. He does it so well, so personal, so felt, so real.

The Rolling Stones captured the past for me tonight. Here it is for you. I hope you enjoy it. No, actually I hope it rises something up in you and makes you feel something powerful.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

I cannot imagine having to leave my dog Cheyenne behind. Even given the circumstances and the restrictions and the so-called foolishness of bringing along a dog when it could be a person who is saved... even with all that, I can't see how I could do it. The problem is, I don't see myself staying back to be drowned in a tsunami wave, so I guess the solution is to be clever, creative, quick, and possible very verbally or physically persuasive. -Wayward

A dog which has been rescued at sea off the coast of Kesennuma, Japan, was reunited with the owner on Monday more than three weeks after being washed away by the killer tsunami triggered by the March 11 earthquake. Japanese broadcaster NTV aired images of the reunion with the woman hugging Ban and the dog warmly wagging her tail. The dog was rescued on Friday after being found drifting on a roof.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Years ago I saw Sister Wendy giving a most interesting and thought-provoking introduction to art on tv. I had her book on art but carelessly set it aside years ago. Now I have reason to get that book out again, for the gift of introspection and original thought from this amazing woman.I never thought kindly of "Piss Christ," but Sister Wendy goes against the automatic response and explains it from another point of view. Here is a video of her talking about art, morality, life, and more. It starts out with her comments on "Piss Christ," but there is more after that first minute or so.-Wayward

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Several months ago my labrador retriever, Cheyenne, had some surgery for large lipomes that were obstructing her movement. One was pressing on her jugular vein. Surgery bills can be high, so I am wondering if you have pet insurance for your pet. Cheyenne will be 11 this July. I'm wondering whether the monthly premiums for the insurance don't cancel out any financial benefit for medical costs.

Friday, March 25, 2011

I cannot imagine a day without my dog Cheyenne. There is nothing like the absolute and unconditional love and affection of a dog, and that is why we must love and protect them — they who always look at you with trust, who greet you with enthusiasm, who watch from the window as you drive off to the market, and who are there at the door when you return.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

It's breathtaking to me how slippery people can be with their blended truths, half truths, or outright lies as they say, "I swear to you..."

Sociopaths might lie all the time, but I'm talking about those in the average stream of life who can and do lie more so than others, either for profit and gain or to avoid punishment or disapproval.

I read the following years ago from a book titled Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction.*
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This is the Aristotelian definition of the truth. It's what we use in courts of law when we swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It takes these three conditions to assure that truth emerges.

I. "The truth." What is; not what isn't.

II. "The whole truth." Not just a part of the truth, but also that other part of the truth that, if known, could put you in a bad light.

III. "And nothing but the truth."Not the truth with a lie stuck in it to make the truth more palatable.

*Review: "A short, sweet, and selective commentary and analysis of Aristotle's works and ideas. A fine adjunct to the reading of the translated texts. A highly recommended aid to the student meeting Aristotle ab initio. Boy, what a book!"--Steven C. Fleishman, University of Maryland)

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Following a bad water leak on the ground floor, the kitchen and part of the living room were damaged and subsequently renovated. This included all new flooring, new kitchen cabinets, granite countertops, new chocolate brown venetian blinds, new micro, new refri, and dishwashing machine. Oh, and a new paint job of the entire ground floor.
BEST SEEN ON FULL SCREEN. Watch at 720p HD

Lots of memories here. My uncle Ray owned College Inn, a restaurant across the street from the University of Hawaii. My family spent a lot of time there and their son was very close to us. And that was a long time ago.

Oct. 4, 2010 — Daniel Hannan, author of 'The New Road to Serfdom, A Letter of Warning to America,' discusses the pitfalls of socialized healthcare in the U.K. The Conservative member of European Parliament also addresses disastrous effects of reckless spending and the positive influence of the tea party in the United States.

Maybe it's simply me being born and raised in Hawaii that makes me love this tropical oasis that my kitchen became last year with the remodeling. I love the idea of a plantation, overhanging branches with thick green leaves, deep green granite marble countertops and wood blinds. Oh, to have a pair of colorful parrots living in the trees in the back yard! ~Wayward

I glance out of the car window while driving to the market. A rainbow has formed to the northwest. No pot of gold, no miracle, no heavenly sign. Simply a magnificent convergence of light and water and the sun at my back. But still, I think of you and wonder if you see me seeing it. ~Wayward

Saturday, March 5, 2011

The Wayward Camcorder and I slipped into the Panda Inn Express before heading off for some dangerous international intrigue at Ralph's Market at the other end of the parking lot. As I ate, I saw a tall man right outside with a bird peeking out of his sweater collar. Maybe he was my foreign contact, I thought. Maybe he has tracked me down to tell me something and the bird is his cover. I quickly finished my lunch and approached him at the soda dispenser while a waitress was already chatting with him. His name is Paul Torgerson and the cozy golden redhead is Zoe. This is what follows. -Wayward

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Some years ago I wanted to create a storyland of dolls in an adult, mysterious, intriguing setting. I did not photograph anything, but instead collected pictures of many many dolls and created my slideshow story with the simpler slideshow maker that I had to use in those days. -Wayward

In a place far away, there is a house of dolls that live their own doll lives. Each doll has a story, some sunnier than others and some darker. The dolls all have their own room. There is a dining room on the first floor where they meet for meals and a large yard with a gazebo in the back. As life for us humans can be a winding road sometimes or a smooth drive at other times, so these dolls' lives have twists and turns. At present in the dollhouse, one senses a grey veil of unrest and anxiety.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Do you remember when you were a little child? If you were fortunate, you had parents who loved you and showed it consistently and without reversals. That's what I see here and want to show here. Childhood can be and ought to be a carefree, safe, and welcoming time for the innocents.

Here they are in a more recent photo. And here is Rocky the chihuahua.

She's fine now, but got sidelined for a few weeks after surgery on a (benign) tumor. Since she had a hard time eating with that big plastic protective cone over her head, I fed her each day with a plastic spoon and eventually, after she rammed through the narrow dog door with the thing on, I had to patch it with duct tape. The fur is growing in very quickly. :-)

My relatives in Hawaii celebrated New Year's Eve with the usual blast of fireworks in the yard. Things are changing now, but when I was growing up there, our neighbors, who were Chinese, would celebrate the event with endlessly long, heavy strings of firecrackers and Roman candles. The final blast would take several minutes. When that was over there would be a huge feast of Kalua pig, lomi lomi salmon, poi, and all the trimmings Hawaiian style and Asian style.

Cousin Teri-Ann sent film clips of the New Year's Eve 2010 celebration there in Hawaii. Here is a trailer I made from those clips. This is one of the reasons I love about living in this age of advanced technology.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

I took riding lessons once — English horseback riding style, meaning without a pommel. All throughout those lessons I wished I had taken western style riding. My horse was a tall stud named Chaps and he treated me with total respect but a pommel would have eased my mind. This here is a slideshow of horses of all breeds doing what horses do. I hope you enjoy it.

In the early 2000s, after a great loss, I'd often wake up early to photograph the morning light from my east facing upstairs office window. Maybe I needed to record that in fact a new day had begun. Maybe I needed to hang on to a daily routine. Maybe I needed to see something predictable and beautiful. I hope you enjoy this slideshow and are able to see many many more sunrises in your lifetime. -Falcon